The United States Embassy in Moscow has issued a fresh alert advising U.S. citizens against travel to Russia and urging those already in the country to brace for significant disruptions, including long waits and sudden changes in flight schedules.

The warning, which reinforces the State Department’s longstanding Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory, underscores the elevated risks tied to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, strained U.S.–Russia relations, limited consular support and a fragile commercial air network that can be upended with little notice.

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New Embassy Alert Highlights Heightened Travel Risk

The latest alert from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow warns that Americans planning to travel to, from or through Russia should reconsider those plans entirely and contact their airlines as early as possible to confirm flight status.

The embassy notes that air travel options remain limited, subject to rapid changes and can involve complex routings through third countries, raising the prospect of delays, missed connections and lengthy queues at transit hubs.

Officials emphasize that the security and logistical situation is fundamentally different from pre‑2022 conditions. Russia remains largely cut off from Western airspace and many foreign carriers ceased direct services following the full‑scale invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions.

While some connections via the Middle East, Central Asia and the Caucasus remain available, these routes can fill quickly or be altered with little warning whenever geopolitical tensions spike or new restrictions are imposed.

The embassy’s message dovetails with the State Department’s broader warning that U.S. citizens who are currently in Russia should depart while commercial options still exist and before any further deterioration in the security environment or transport links. Travelers are advised to avoid assuming that flights advertised weeks in advance will necessarily operate as scheduled when departure day arrives.

Background: Level 4 “Do Not Travel” Advisory Remains in Force

Washington’s baseline guidance on Russia has not changed: the country is subject to the highest Level 4 advisory, instructing Americans not to travel there under any circumstances. That designation, first issued shortly after Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and updated multiple times since, reflects a convergence of risks that go far beyond standard crime or health concerns.

The State Department cites the possibility of harassment and wrongful detention of U.S. citizens, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, limited commercial flight options and the persistent threat of terrorism and military activity.

In earlier alerts, the U.S. government urged citizens residing or traveling in Russia to leave immediately, pointing to episodes of politically charged detentions and the use of foreign nationals as leverage in broader diplomatic disputes.

Americans have been warned that they could be singled out by security services, face accusations that would not meet basic evidentiary standards in Western courts, or encounter legal frameworks that change rapidly and are applied inconsistently.

These concerns are compounded by significant constraints on the embassy’s capacity to assist. After years of tit‑for‑tat diplomatic expulsions and staffing limits, the U.S. mission in Russia operates with reduced personnel and significant restrictions on internal travel. That leaves diplomats with less reach and fewer tools to intervene when Americans encounter legal trouble, medical emergencies or logistical crises far from Moscow.

Flight Disruptions and Long Waits: What Travelers Are Seeing on the Ground

The embassy’s call for travelers to contact airlines reflects a pattern that has become familiar since 2022: routes appearing and disappearing with little notice, airlines reconfiguring schedules as sanctions shift and conflict‑related risks ripple across wider airspace.

Many Western carriers stopped flying to Russia altogether, and Russian airlines have faced limits on their ability to service leased aircraft, obtain parts and operate routes through restricted skies.

As a result, Americans who still choose to transit via Russia may rely on multi‑segment journeys through hubs in Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Yerevan, Belgrade or Central Asian capitals. When regional crises erupt or military tensions escalate, these corridors can quickly become congested, leading to long lines at check‑in counters, immigration desks and transfer security points.

Travelers have reported overnight waits in terminals, sudden rerouting via unfamiliar airports and difficulties rebooking when flights are canceled at short notice.

Recent drone and missile incidents affecting Moscow’s wider region have at times disrupted operations at the city’s major airports, triggering delays and diversions that ripple across international networks.

While Russia’s aviation authorities typically move to restore schedules as quickly as possible, the embassy stresses that foreign travelers should not assume that previously reliable patterns will hold, particularly during periods of military escalation or security alerts.

Beyond the practical challenges of reaching or leaving Russia, the American advisory warns that U.S. citizens face significant financial and legal vulnerabilities once inside the country.

Western sanctions have severed links between many Russian banks and the global financial system, meaning U.S. credit and debit cards generally do not work in Russia. Electronic transfers from American banks are heavily restricted, and reports of cash shortages periodically surface, especially outside major cities.

For travelers accustomed to digital payments and on‑demand banking, this environment raises the stakes considerably. Running low on cash can quickly become an emergency when alternatives are scarce.

The embassy notes that visitors should not count on accessing funds through ordinary channels and that relying on local acquaintances for financial assistance may be complicated by sanctions compliance concerns and surveillance of cross‑border transactions.

Legally, U.S. citizens are subject to Russian laws that may be amended swiftly, enforced selectively and interpreted in ways that reflect political priorities rather than clear jurisprudence. Participation in protests, commentary on Russia’s military actions, social media posts or even casual conversations about politics can draw unwanted attention.

The State Department has repeatedly cautioned that Americans could face charges that appear minor on paper but carry serious penalties in practice, especially when national security or “discrediting” of the armed forces is alleged.

Consular support, meanwhile, remains constrained. The embassy has limited ability to reach detainees quickly, attend court hearings outside Moscow or negotiate with regional authorities.

In its recent messaging, it underscores that Americans should not assume that the U.S. government can swiftly resolve detentions, travel bans or exit‑visa issues, and that they should weigh those risks carefully before entering Russia at all.

Geopolitical Tension Keeps Travel Outlook Uncertain

The renewed embassy alert lands against a backdrop of unresolved geopolitical friction. Russia’s war in Ukraine continues with no comprehensive settlement in sight, and relations between Moscow and Western capitals remain at their lowest point in decades.

Sanctions regimes on both sides are entrenched, impacting aviation, energy, finance and technology. Attempts to normalize diplomatic operations have moved slowly, with officials on each side signaling that embassy staffing and direct air links are hostage to broader political conditions.

Russian officials have publicly pressed for restoration of direct flights between the two countries, yet U.S. counterparts have tied any progress on civil aviation to measurable steps toward de‑escalation in Ukraine and improved conditions for foreign detainees. For now, that linkage keeps the prospect of nonstop U.S.–Russia routes firmly on hold and leaves travelers dependent on indirect and often fragile alternatives.

Adding to the uncertainty, Russia has advised its own citizens to avoid travel to the United States and many European countries, citing confrontational relations and perceived risks.

This mutual hardening of travel guidance underscores how deeply foreign policy disputes have penetrated ordinary cross‑border movement. For tourism, education exchanges, family visits and business travel, the environment is likely to remain constrained and unpredictable well into 2026.

Implications for Airlines, Tour Operators and the Wider Travel Industry

The latest warning from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow is another blow for airlines, tour operators and travel agencies that once relied on steady flows of passengers between Russia and the rest of the world.

Many Western carriers wrote Russia out of their route networks after 2022, redirecting capacity to other long‑haul markets. For the few international airlines that still carry passengers to or from Russian cities, heightened risk perceptions and insurance considerations continue to weigh on scheduling and pricing decisions.

Travel companies that specialized in cultural, sports or business delegations to Russia have largely pivoted elsewhere, and the embassy’s messaging signals that any near‑term rebound is unlikely.

Insurance providers often treat Russia as a high‑risk destination, limiting coverage or charging steep premiums for evacuation, medical or political‑risk policies. Corporate travel departments, in turn, routinely exclude Russia from approved destination lists for staff, regardless of sector.

For Russia’s tourism industry, the loss of U.S. and wider Western visitors contributes to a broader reorientation toward domestic and non‑Western markets.

While some destinations inside the country have seen partial compensation from travelers from Asia, the Middle East or the post‑Soviet space, the combined impact of sanctions, restricted payments systems and reputational damage has left inbound tourism far below pre‑war levels.

Advice for Those Who Still Must Travel

Despite the sweeping “Do Not Travel” guidance, there remain Americans who feel compelled to travel to Russia for urgent family reasons, dual‑national obligations, journalism, humanitarian work or other exceptional circumstances. The embassy’s latest alert is tailored in part to this small but significant group, urging meticulous preparation and constant contingency planning.

Travelers are advised to monitor embassy security alerts, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so officials can contact them in a crisis, and maintain multiple exit strategies in case their primary route is disrupted. That may mean researching alternative hubs, keeping sufficient funds in hard currency, and allowing ample time for transfers and document checks.

Those in Russia are encouraged to maintain a low profile, avoid political discussions, steer clear of demonstrations and be cautious about their digital footprint, recognizing that online activity may be monitored.

The embassy also emphasizes that conditions can change with little warning. New legislation, mass mobilization measures, border controls or retaliatory diplomatic steps can all emerge quickly and directly affect foreigners.

Americans are urged to stay in close communication with family and employers, share itineraries, and be prepared to adjust plans immediately if security notices indicate rising threats or new restrictions.

FAQ

Q1: Is it currently legal for U.S. citizens to travel to Russia?
Yes, there is no blanket legal ban under U.S. law on private citizens traveling to Russia, but the U.S. government strongly advises against it under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory and warns that those who go do so at significant personal risk.

Q2: What are the main reasons the U.S. Embassy says not to travel to Russia?
The embassy and State Department cite the potential for harassment and wrongful detention, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, limited consular support, restricted financial and banking options, constrained flight availability and security risks linked to the ongoing war in Ukraine and terrorism concerns.

Q3: Are there still commercial flights available out of Russia for Americans?
Yes, but options are limited and mostly involve indirect routings through third countries. Schedules can change quickly, so travelers are urged to contact airlines directly, confirm bookings repeatedly and be prepared for delays, diversions and long waits.

Q4: What should I do if I am already in Russia and want to leave?
The U.S. government urges you to depart as soon as you can safely do so using existing commercial or overland routes. You should contact airlines to secure the earliest available seat, monitor official alerts, keep your family informed and have backup plans in case your chosen route is disrupted.

Q5: Can the U.S. Embassy help me if I am detained in Russia?
The embassy will attempt to provide consular support, such as seeking information and advocating for access, but its ability to intervene is sharply limited by staffing cuts, movement restrictions and the broader political climate. It cannot guarantee release or prevent legal proceedings initiated by Russian authorities.

Q6: Will my U.S. credit or debit cards work in Russia?
In most cases they will not. Sanctions have cut many Russian banks off from global payment networks, and the State Department warns that U.S. cards generally do not function. Travelers should not rely on card payments or routine international transfers to access money inside Russia.

Q7: Is it safe to transit through Russian airports without entering the country?
Even for transit passengers, the U.S. advisory covers the entirety of Russian territory. While some travelers pass through without incident, the embassy underscores that any presence in Russia carries heightened risk, including the possibility of questioning, delays or changes to border formalities.

Q8: How can I stay informed about changing conditions if I am in Russia?
You are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, monitor embassy alerts, follow reputable international news outlets and stay in regular contact with trusted family, friends or employers outside the country who can help assess developments.

Q9: Are dual U.S.–Russian citizens subject to additional risks?
Dual nationals may face particular complications, including potential obligations under Russian law such as military service or travel restrictions. Russian authorities may treat them solely as Russian citizens, limiting the ability of U.S. officials to provide consular assistance or intervene in legal matters.

Q10: Under what circumstances, if any, does the U.S. government consider travel to Russia acceptable?
Official guidance holds that Americans should avoid all travel to Russia. In practice, some individuals still travel for compelling humanitarian, family, professional or diplomatic reasons, but they are urged to conduct rigorous risk assessments, plan extensively and understand that they proceed without the safeguards that normally underpin international tourism and business trips.